CreteCrete is the biggest island in Greece and the fifth bigger in the Mediterranean Sea. It is Greece’s most southern part and constitutes a crossroad for three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. It covers 8.336 square kilometres, its length is 260 kilometres while its width varies from 60 kilometres at its widest part to 12 at its narrowest. Along the island, like an enormous spine, expand three mountain ranges. Westwards the White Mountains with the highest top reaching 2.453 metres, in the middle Psiloritis (Idi) constituting the highest range with an altitude of 2.456 metres while eastwards there is Dikti reaching 2.148 metres. Amongst these mountains, nature has worked pure miracles creating gorges, caves, plateaus, rivers and lakes which merge with the clean sandy beaches and the sea along the whole island, thus making beautiful sceneries full of contrasts, which always capture the visitor’s eye. Crete is divided into four prefectures: Chania, Rethimno, Heraklion and Lasithi with a total of 630.000 inhabitants, a number which of course is significantly increased during the summer months. There are two international airports, one in Chania and another in Heraklion, four major ports in Heraklion, Rethimno, Chania and Agios Nikolaos and several smaller ones in other seaside towns. The island’s income comes mainly from tourism but also from agriculture and stockbreeding. The tourist season usually lasts for 7 months – starting from April 1st and finishing on October 31st- during which a great number of people from different countries of the world visit the island and especially its northern part. The production of agricultural products, mainly olives, olive-oil, vegetables and various fruits also represents a factor of development along with the production of dairy products which are famous worldwide for their taste and quality. The island’s climate is probably the mildest in Europe with rain falling almost only during the winter while mild southwest winds, better known as «meltemia», prevent excessive heat during the summer months. An important feature of the climate in Crete is the percentage of sunlight which is among the highest in Europe.
Historical InformationAccording to scientific estimations based on the findings discovered in Crete, the presence of humans dates since 6000 B.C. During that period of time and until 2600 B.C. the inhabitants of the island lived in caves and cultivated land using stone tools. This era is followed by the one that Arthur Evans (famous archaeologist who excavated Knossos) called the Minoan Era which lasted for about 1500 years and represented Crete’s Golden Era. During that time the Cretans dominated the surrounding areas with their fleet obtaining wealth and knowledge from merchandising and the association with developed cultures of the times. As a result, the caves became impressive buildings such as the palaces in Knossos and Faistos, great frescoes and other works of art, some of which are still preserved, while the architecture of that period reached perfection and is taught at universities until today. The Minoans were peaceful people who loved life and were the first to claim that men and women were equal. The island was ruled by Minoas (it is commonly believed that this name was a title and not members of a particular family of aristocrats) while the total lack of fortresses reveals the peaceful co-existence amongst the towns in the inner of the island. In 1700 B.C. a strong earthquake hits Crete, destroying a lot of buildings and almost completely the palaces, which were soon rebuilt even more magnificently. The Minoan civilisation continues to prosper until 1450 B.C. when a new greater destruction literally ruins it. Until today, scientists can only speculate as to what really happened but the most dominant point of view suggests that the eruption of the volcano in Santorini which happened round that time caused such strong tidal waves and postseisms that destroyed everything and led to the abrupt ending of such a bright civilisation. During the following years the island is colonized by people coming from the central parts of Greece while the remaining Minoans establish towns mainly towards the area of Lasithi. In 69 B.C. Crete is conquered by the Roman Empire after a quinquennial war. After some years life slowly begins to improve and the population increases but the Cretan people never really played an important role for the Empire during that time. When Byzantium was founded, all the eastern colonies along with Crete pass under its rule in 395 A.C. During that period, Christianity spreads throughout the island and a big number of magnificent churches is constructed. Actually, some of them are preserved until today. In 824 A.C. the Arabs manage to conquer Crete which becomes a base of operations for the Saracen pirates and the local inhabitants were expatriated to the mountainous areas of the island. The Byzantines manage to take the island back in 961 A.C. and keep it until the dismemberment of the Byzantine Empire in 1204 A.C. by crusaders who sold it to the Venetians for a thousand silver coins. For the Venetians, Crete was an important colony as it contributed to the spread of their commerce in the East. Originally, their form of government was very oppressive something which forced the local inhabitants to rebel but gradually things became better and Crete began to develop culturally and commercially. In 1453 A.C., after Constantinople fell, a lot of scientists retreated in the island leading it to a further development in all sectors. A lot of Cretans study in Venice and during that period, many auctorial masterpieces were written, some of which are still read nowadays such as Erotokritos and Erofili. Italian architecture is quickly spread in the whole island and all the towns acquire an intense Venetian colour. All this lasts until 1645 A.C. when the Turks invade the island. Until 1648 the Turkish army managed to control its biggest part while almost all the Cretans and the Venetians living here embattled behind the walls of Heraklion and opposed to the conqueror for twenty years. Finally, on September 20th, 1669 the city surrendered. This heroic battle resulted in the death of 30000 Cretans and Venetians and of 117000 Turks. An incredible destruction followed: houses were burnt, churches were destroyed, and thousands of locals were imprisoned while several managed to escape to the mountains. A big number of Turkish colonists settled into the island trespassing the locals’ fortunes and making them live under slavery. The Cretans rebelled continuously but without success while reprisal was harsh. In 1821, when the Greek revolution broke out, the Cretans rebelled again obliging the Turks to ask the Pasha of Egypt for help. His army managed to repress the Cretan opposition. In 1832 the Greek State was founded but Crete did not become part of it. Instead it was given to the Egyptians as a present for the help they offered the Turks. The great Cretan revolution broke out in 1866 with the help of volunteers from the rest of Greece. Initially, the rebels managed to achieve important victories but even this Revolution literally ended in a blood bath since the Turks debarked a big number of back ups on the island managing to suppress it. Sacrifices such as the one in Arkadi Monastery, where hundreds of Cretans and their families refused to surrender and blew themselves up still remain alive in our hearts. After years of tough battles the Great Powers of the times (Britain, France, Italy and Russia) decided that Turkey could no longer control Crete, therefore they were banished from the island in 1898, the independence of the Cretan Democracy was declared and Prince George, the youngest son of the King of Greece, was appointed as governor. The Cretans, however, desired to be united to Greece, a desire which led to new battles with Eleftherios Venizelos acting as their chief and prompter. The union finally took place in 1913 and since then Crete follows Greece’s course. The fire of war burns again in the island in 1941 with the invasion of the German forces. The Cretans and the allies, with the major part of the Cretan army fighting in Albania, vigorously resisted causing great casualties to the German army and paid their longing for freedom once more with human lives and destroyed fortunes. Crete is freed again in 1944 and we hope that it will remain like this forever: a beautiful and peaceful part of Greece.
|
Our Hotels - Crete: Our Land - Useful Informations - Contact us - Home Page |